PVFD: Think of It as Vaginal Varicose Veins

Created: 04/01/2019

Last Updated: 04/01/2019

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By Jill Grech for Women's Health Foundation

Pelvic venous flow disorder (PVFD), sometimes referred to as pelvic congestion syndrome or pelvic venous congestion syndrome, is often described as vaginal varicose veins. The name alone is enough to cause confusion, and the thought of vaginal varicose veins is enough to make most women wince.

Although PVFD is quite common, it is significantly underdiagnosed. This is in part because evaluations are often done when the patient is lying down, which doesn't provide accurate insight into how the internal veins are operating against gravity.

Additionally, many women don't know PVFD exists. They often don't even recognize their symptoms as abnormal. As with incontinence or an overactive bladder, many think this is a natural part of aging or a side effect of childbirth. PVFD symptoms are common, but not normal.

Symptoms

The Society of Interventional Radiology estimates that up to 15 percent of women have pelvic varicose veins, although some may never experience symptoms. For those that do, it can be extremely painful and limit daily activity.

Unless the veins are protruding and quite obvious (which definitely happens), symptoms can be ambiguous. Women may not think of the heavy or painful feeling in their vaginal area as typical "pelvic pain." To many, pelvic pain means cramping on the inside, not throbbing pain at the vulva. Let's face it, most women hesitate to use the term vulva. Therein lies part of the problem—being uncomfortable with our bodies and their proper names, but that's another topic.

The pain or discomfort with PVFD is typically described as a heavy, dull, and/or throbbing ache. Some women may even think they are prolapsing. It is typically felt in the vaginal area of the pelvis, sometimes reaching into the lower abdomen or lower back. Pain often increases during these times:

Following intercourse

Menstrual periods

When tired or when standing (worse at end of day)

Pregnancy

Other symptoms include:

Irritable bladder

Abnormal menstrual bleeding

Vaginal discharge

Varicose veins on vulva, buttocks or thigh.

A woman can be at higher risk for PVFD if she has any of the following:

Like varicose veins in the legs, pelvic congestion happens when the valves in the vein that help return blood to the heart are faulty. These valves are weakened and do not close properly, which allows the blood to flow backward. Blood will pool in the vein, stretching it, causing pressure and bulging. With the imaging techniques above, health care professional can review valve effectiveness and measure the diameter of the veins.

Treatment

The most effective treatment is ovarian vein embolization. During this procedure, X-ray guidance is used to place coils in the faulty veins. The medicine in the coils will clot the blood and seal the openings. This out-patient procedure is successful in nearly all cases. Recurrence happens only when other veins become faulty.

With more awareness, fewer women will be sidelined by pelvic issues, especially when effective treatments are available.

Jill Grech is the former Women's Health Foundation Marketing and Community Manager and currently Web strategic marketing manager for Loyola University and digital marketing consultant. She battled her insurance company for coverage of PVFD treatment.